CHRISTMAS LECTURES 2022 Secrets of forensic science

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An image of a sweat-fingerprint on a CD-cover photographed in reflexlight by Immo Wegmann via Unsplash

The Forensics Zone is open and runs from 4 January to 3 February 2023.

  • Meet with forensic scientists connected to the CHRISTMAS LECTURES, as well as scientists who worked on the BBC show
  • Suitable for ages 10 to 18
  • Easy, safe, flexible, and open to schools in UK and Ireland
Teachers: sign up and book chats

Recent Questions

is it ever possible for someones heart to stop beating and for them to still be alive?

anon-347398

Have you ever thought about reconsidering your job because it was too scary or too hard and you thought of giving up?

anon-347404

how long does it take for your body to decompose?

anon-347415

How long can you keep a sample before it is no longer able to be worked with?

anon-347424

Have you ever got the wrong fingerprint and the police have arrested the wrong person?

anon-347671

Is it harder to find DNA etc through darker shades of makeup?

anon-347396

why does the royal family always seem to live longer? example: Queen Elizabeth

anon-347396

have you ever had makeup that had bacteria in it then it decomposes?

anon-347394

has the way people evolve changed the world or the way we think of things or how we do every day things?

anon-347403

View all answered questions

Watch the Lectures

The Forensics Zone is based on the series of three lectures given by The Royal Institution at Christmas.

Watching the lectures will give you a good overview of the topics the scientists in this Zone deal with, and provide good talking points for students in the zone’s Ask and Chat sections.

CHRISTMAS LECTURES Professor Dame Sue Black will reveal the secrets of forensic science and the scientific detective process on BBC Four between Christmas and New Year.

Watch all 3 lectures using the BBC iPlayer – watch on BBC iPlayer

Recent Comments

Begun by Michael Faraday in 1825, the CHRISTMAS LECTURES are now broadcast on UK television every December and have formed part of the British Christmas tradition for generations.

Go deeper into the topics of the CHRISTMAS LECTURES with I'm a Scientist and the Royal Institution. In January 2022, school students can put their questions to pandemic scientists and Lecture contributors!